Mental Wellness For Stoneham Youth

A Letter to the Editor from Cory Mashburn, candidate for Stoneham School Committee:

“According to the World Health Organization, mental disorders are the single most common cause of disability in young people. In the United States, approximately 15–20% of children and adolescents are suffering from some form of mental disorder. Furthermore, 70% of mental disorders onset prior to age 25, making the adolescent years a critical window in which mental health can be promoted and mental health problems can be addressed. If left untreated, mental disorders can impede all aspects of health, including emotional well-being and social development, leaving young people feeling socially isolated, stigmatized, and unable to optimize their social, vocational, and interpersonal contributions to society. It can also lead to suicide, which was the second leading cause of death in 2014 for youth ages 10–24 in the United States. Addressing mental health problems early in life can lead to decreases in emotional and behavioral problems, functional impairment, and contact with law enforcement. It can also lead to improvements in social and behavioral adjustment, learning outcomes, and school performance.” (2017 Stoneham Youth Risk Behavior Survey)

The data from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey given to Stoneham eighth graders and high school students revealed the following:

For Stoneham high school students – approximately 589 students
• 22.2% of Stoneham high school students reported that they felt sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks in a row.
• 11.9% of Stoneham students reported purposeful self-harming behaviors without the desire to die.
• 9.8% of Stoneham high school students reported that they seriously considered attempting suicide and 2.2% reported that they attempted suicide. However, 9%of Stoneham students made a plan about how they would attempt suicide.
• 11.5% of Stoneham high school students reported that they were currently taking medicine or receiving treatment for behavioral health, mental health conditions, or emotional problems.

For Stoneham 8th grade students --- approximately 195 students
• 11.8% of Stoneham 8th grade students reported that they seriously considered attempting suicide and 7.6% reported that they had made a plan about how they would attempt suicide.
• 3.1% of Stoneham 8th grade students reported that they had attempted suicide.
• 14.2% of Stoneham 8th grade students reported that they were currently taking medicine or receiving treatment for behavioral health, mental health condition, or emotional problems.
• 33.9% of Stoneham 8th grade students reported that the most stressful part of school was “keeping up with schoolwork."

This data mirrors the national struggles with mental health and social wellness. Through this data, Stoneham’s youth are demonstrating a need for additional social-emotional wellness initiatives. We as their parents, guardians, teachers and community (their “village”) have a responsibility to answer this need with discussion, expertise and evidence-based interventions.

I believe my experience and expertise is exactly what the Stoneham Community and School Committee needs right now. I am an effective leader, community builder and prevention specialist, and I am committed to working with the dedicated members of the Committee and schools towards a healthier tomorrow for our children.

"Cory Mashburn was an early leader in recognizing the importance of childhood and adolescent mental health. In Somerville he led an unprecedented effort to bring the entire community- City Government, Schools, as well as private sector and non-profit organizations- together not just to address the symptoms but the causes of challenges facing the mental wellness of our young people. I have no doubt that Cory will bring that same expertise, compassion, leadership and ability to the Stoneham School Committee."
- Andre Green (School Committee Chairperson, City of Somerville MA)

There are two seats open on the Stoneham School Committee and I am asking for one of your votes on April 3, 2018.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about the expertise I will bring to the School Committee, please visit my website at www.corymashburn.com or my Facebook page at Cory Mashburn for Stoneham School Committee. Both include more information about me and my top priorities for the Stoneham Schools. Please also feel free to call me (910-352-1253) or e-mail me at corymashburn4stoneham@gmail.com.